Timeform Daily: Tuesday 28 July

Race of the Day Preview / Editor / 27 July 2009 / Leave a Comment

"JJ the Jet Plane is a high-class South African sprinter who returned to his best when third in the July Cup at Newmarket last time (just behind Main Aim). There is an extra furlong to cover here but he is likely to play a leading role."

The Betfair Cup will be run tomorrow. Timeform talk us through the chances of each respective runner.

3.25 BETFAIR CUP (Lennox) (Group 2) (1)

Main Aim produced the Group-1 performance he had long promised when runner-up in the July Cup last time and will be a tough nut to crack at this level. J J The Jet Plane wasn't far adrift of him that day and looks likely to offer most
resistance. Ouqba and Finjaan form the 3-y-o challenge, but both need to scale new heights to trouble the market leaders.

Asset Non runner.

Balthazaar's Gift is a frustrating customer who was back on song when winning in Dubai in February. He has put in solid efforts in defeat for his new stable on his last two starts, but is likely to come up short again.

Dream Eater is holding his form well in Group races this term, but is fully exposed now and needs to settle better if he is to get involved.

Express Wish was much improved when winning a Group 3 over course and distance in October, but was well below that level on both starts this term. He is up against it here even if back on song.

J J The Jet Plane is a high-class South African sprinter who returned to his best when third in the July Cup at Newmarket last time (just behind Main Aim). There is an extra furlong to cover here but he is likely to play a leading role.

Main Aim is a high-class performer who landed a seven furlong Group 3 at Haydock in May. He bettered that effort when runner-up to Fleeting Spirit in the July Cup at Newmarket recently and looks the one to beat.

Regal Parade is a tough sort who has returned to his very best of late. He did well to keep Balthazaar's Gift at bay at Chester last time, but looks to hold place claims at best here.

Finjaan won a five furlong Group 3 at this meeting last year and ran an excellent third in the Dewhurst over this distance afterwards. He was not at his best in the 2000 Guineas on his return, but it would be foolish to discount him back over a more suitable trip.

Ouqba put in a career-best effort when landing a seven furlong Group 3 at Royal Ascot, running on powerfully after racing lazily. This demands more, but he seems to be going the right way.

This year's renewal of the Group 3 Princess Margaret Abu Dhabi Stakes over six furlongs appeared to be lacking in depth in comparison to recent years, although the winner's performance was just about up to standard. Brian Meehan's Lady Of The Desert built on her encouraging performance in the Queen Mary to accelerate clear of the field in the closing stages. Richard Hannon's Full Mandate was well supported to improve on her Newbury success and duly did in second, although no match for the winner. Sand Vixen improved on her most recent outing at Kempton to take third. The fourth horse, Jira, was unable to build on her listed success last time, but she still might when upped to seven furlongs.

The International Stakes Heritage Handicap was dominated by those horses with prior form at Ascot. Clive Brittain clocked up his second win of the day when Al Muheer, second in the Buckingham Palace Stakes and 40-1 to go one better this time, picked off Secret Society late on. The second placed horse appeared to be travelling comfortably only to waver slightly once hitting the front, still rather naïve as it looked. Redford ran up to his best, typically late on the scene, and he hasn't had the chance to race so far on softish ground so far this year. a promising race to take third when produced late on, and future progress remains likely when he gets his preferred soft ground.

Though the best three-year-olds were absent once again, this year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes looked to be a high-class renewal. The line up featured Breeders' Cup and St Leger victor Conduit, returned to a mile and a half after a couple of tries at an inadequate ten furlongs, and three other horses already successful in Group 1 company. Conduit travelled powerfully in his customary place towards the rear before being shaken up by Ryan Moore two furlongs from home. Though it took a while for him to stamp his authority on proceedings, the four-year-old ended up winning comfortably by one-and-three-quarter lengths.

Tartan Bearer, second in the Prince of Wales Stakes last time, travelled well for much of the race before being passed by the eventual winner. He battled on to secure second place despite strong pressure from Ask. The result gave Sir Michael Stoute an unprecedented 1-2-3. The John Gosden trained Alwaary, who came from last to take fourth, was the best placed of the three-year-olds.